Custom Exhaust

[Bonemaro]

I am kicking around the idea of attempting a little custom exhaust work. I'm in no way a master welder, but I'm not bad. I do however want to do all my welding off the car and make this a bolt on system. This is where I need help.

What do I need to use when it comes to connecting. say, the Y-pipe to the cat, or the cat to the back end of the system. I've found these.


A ball flange. Not sure if this is over kill. I found these at Flowmaster, but they were kind of expensive.


Here was another kind of ball flange I was looking into.


Found these V Band clamps that look like they could be welded in and clamped together.


Or am I just completely over thinking this and all that needs to be done is weld one of these on each pipe and bolt them together?

To anyone with exhaust experience who would wish to give me some advise on this, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[cam98aro]

Re: Custom Exhaust

i dont think ball flanges are that bad , and they are not overkill, a lot of aftermarket exhausts use them, and so would i, there is nothing better than being able to take the exhaust apart quickly, i hate working on stock exhausts, or ones that have been welded

[Bonemaro]

Re: Custom Exhaust

$90 each though.

[bigbrian442]

Re: Custom Exhaust

I used 3" 3 bolt header type flanges to attach the CAT to the Pacesetter Y pipe and to attach the CAT back. This also makes it easy to put a straight pipe in place of it when I don't have to have the emissions test done.

[Bonemaro]

Re: Custom Exhaust

Like these?

[bigbrian442]

Re: Custom Exhaust

Yep. Been on there 3 or 4 years with no problems.

[Bonemaro]

Re: Custom Exhaust

What kind of gasket you use?

[whitdog54]

Re: Custom Exhaust

Good thread, also curious. Looking to maybe start a true duals build, or just be cheap and just weld in a cutout. Thing is, mgiht need to take it out for inspection.

[vr4gasm]

Re: Custom Exhaust

anywhere you have a bolt on connection your gonna have issues with leaks sooner or later. You're just adding that much more maintenance to your car by adding these connections.

[bigbrian442]

Re: Custom Exhaust

What kind of gasket you use?

Copper.

[Bonemaro]

Re: Custom Exhaust

Brian has seemed to have luck against leaks.

[ssms5411]

Re: Custom Exhaust

I use 3 bolt flanges with copper gaskets and spray copper sealant, works well. I recently did a 3 " V band in 1 spot and soon adding another 2 more. They work very well , thats why they are used for turbo apps, not to expensive if you look on ebay for them, plus don't need any gaskets.

[Fondle]

Re: Custom Exhaust

+1 of the v band, very easy to use